MEXICO CITY — It is one thing to beat Mexico at Estadio Azteca in a friendly match, as the United States did last summer. It is something much more rewarding to forge a tie in a World Cup qualifying match, as the Americans did, 0-0, on Tuesday night.

A U.S. team that endured criticism of its coach both internally and externally only a week ago is now 1-1-1 in the final round of regional qualifying and in an inviting position with four of its final seven matches to be played at home.

“Many people said it couldn’t be done,” said Herculez Gomez, who plays professionally in Mexico. “We showed just a tremendous attitude, a tremendous willingness to sacrifice for one another.”

With Costa Rica defeating Jamaica, 2-0, on Tuesday and Panama winning by the same score over Honduras, the United States is now in third place — on goal differential — in the CONCACAF region.

The top three teams in Concacaf will automatically qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, while the fourth-place team will enter a playoff against New Zealand.

The Americans will take heart from a composed and gutsy performance with yet another makeshift lineup, this one including Matt Besler — making his second international appearance, his first in a qualifier — in central defense after Clarence Goodson was scratched with a strained hamstring.

Besler and Omar Gonzalez settled in with calm professionalism, impeccable communication and timely interventions as Mexico (0-0-3) failed to win for a third consecutive match in this qualifying round before an impatient crowd of more than 100,000 at the Azteca.

“The guys were outstanding,” U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. “Our back line, you know, many said they were inexperienced. They deserve a huge compliment.”